But I AM happy for you!

Hey all! I hope the beautiful weather finds you well and full of good things :) 

I am pondering again... oh good Lord, not THAT again...  "So, what musings are you going to share THIS time," you wonder, warily. 

I was reading a post by our worship leader on Instagram, and it prompted me to write. Lucky YOU! lol

What do YOU do when those around you are getting raises, jobs, recognition... how about when those nearest are getting engaged, and you seem to be providentially and most "terminally" single? Or when you see your friends becoming "successful", i.e. meeting celebrities and thriving? (inside joke) 

Tough one, eh? If you are like me you are happy for them, but there is that little teeny weeny piece of your heart that melts away a little as you wonder if you are EVER going to see those good things you have been hoping and/or praying for... 

It has been happening to me these days... my circle of friends has shrunk like my wallet, and my blogs and articles are virtually dusty and "unwrapped"... 

Here are a few things that the Word has to say... 

'Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.'  Philippians 2:3 

'But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.'  James 3:14 

'A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.' Proverbs 14:30 

OUCH!!!! That smarts... 

Can I give you a word of encouragement? Hopefully, it will help... it's simply this... 

'Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.' Romans 12:15

'Yet I am confident I will see the Lord's goodness while I am here in the land of the living.' Psalm 27:13, 14 

For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 


You have your own unique path, and good things  WILL come, and may those you love be happy with you, and weep with you  <>< 

The Sound Word

Hey! Welcome back! Yes, tread carefully, it can get dangerous in here... 

Today I want to bring up something that has been on my mind a bit - oh look! more ramblings... 

As performers, musicians, and vocalists, we want to sound good. You don't invest years of blood, sweat, tears, and practice to sound like cousin Waldo's 5th grade clarinet recital... (my sincerest apologies if your name is Waldo and you do, indeed, play the clarinet- rock on, dude) 

Here is something that took me YEARS to fully grasp... you are only as good as your sound tech... (if you have no sound tech(s), your restrictions tend to be equipment/amp mix, venue, and technical level;) 

I learned quickly to make friends with the guys (or girls) that are doing my sound. The tech is really another band member; chances are they love what they do, (most days, anyway) and have studied hard about how to make you come across better than you actually are. Never mind the fact that they often have to schlep tons of gear... They are the first to arrive, and the last to leave... while you are horsing around i.e. endlessly noodling during the sound check, they are locating the source of the 60 cycle hum, and dealing with snarky egos... usually ours... :) 

You see, your monster ego isn't going to impress them, but your workable attitude will :) 

People will remember your character just as much as they remember your chops- don't burn your bridges behind you- make that impression count! 

**Special thanks to Jess Dunlap for the sweet behind the scenes pic! 
She can be found frolicking around with The Awakening -  www.theawakeningrocks.com

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